Firm Overview

The Needle Partnership LLP started from a desire to create a law firm that was different. The founders were determined to create an environment which was less stuffy and bound by tradition, and to adopt a structure that allowed flexibility both in pricing and relationships with clients.

The firm provides a great quality service, range of specialisations and expertise usually associated with larger national and international law firms, to a diverse range of national and international clients.

The Needle Partnership LLP is now a highly regarded and award winning general commercial and corporate practice.

Although still a young practice, it is dynamic and ambitious, and employs a highly experienced team of lawyers. The firm's lawyers are capable of working across a number of commercial legal disciplines enabling them to take a much more rounded view of clients' business and personal requirements, and to provide clients with clear and sensible commercial advice.

Key Highlights of the year

The firm has received various awards, including Small Law Firm of the Year and Shariah Law Firm of the Year. The firm is also listed in the Legal 500 for various types of work.

Despite the prevailing economic difficulties and gloomy reports coming from many traditional law firms, the firm is seeing an increase in work, acquisitive clients, and a wide range of high value instructions from private equity investments in Yorkshire to international commercial litigation.

Practice Areas

Corporate and Commercial;
Banking and Finance;
Commercial Property;
Construction;
Commercial Litigation/Dispute Resolution;
Employment;
Family;
Islamic Finance;
Intellectual Property.


Corporate and Commercial

Detailed work highlights

We regularly advise on all aspects of acquisitions/disposals, MBO/MBIs, joint ventures, takeovers and fundraisings and are also experienced in advising on group reconstructions/reorganisations, venture capital and private equity backed schemes and business and asset disposals.

We also provide commercial advice upon all sorts of contracts, commercial agreements and business arrangements, joint ventures and franchise arrangements. Where necessary we work closely with international tax advisors and accountants to create appropriate JV structures. We advise franchisors and franchisees upon the terms of franchise agreements.

Contact: sharon.needle@needlepartners.com  

Banking and Finance

Detailed Work Highlights

We act for banks, financial institutions, investors and borrowers in all areas of banking law, including acquisition finance, asset based lending, corporate borrowing, debt restructuring, development finance, leveraged transactions and property finance.

Our Islamic Finance practice in particular has expert knowledge and practical experience. Presently the legal advisor to Al Qalam, the UK Shari'ah board established to advise UK banks and financial institutions on Islamic compliance. As one of the few practices outside of the City of London with a genuine capability in this increasingly important specialism, we deploy our technical and commercial knowledge to advise both on wholly Islamic transactions and on structures whereby Islamic investors are introduced into otherwise conventional finance transactions.

Contact: sharon.needle@needlepartners.com
 
Commercial Property

Detailed Work

The team has a particular strength in the commercial retail and development sectors and the hospitality industry. Supported by a sound knowledge of planning and environmental matters the team can offer proactive and focused advice to a range of clients including major property investors, retailers, builders, property developers and financial institutions.

Contact: peter.flemming@needlepartners.com  

Commercial Litigation

Detailed Work

Our work includes advising in relation to commercial disputes, disputes between director/shareholders, partnership disputes, issues arising out of commercial arrangements (e.g. agency, distribution or franchising agreements), and breach of warranty claims.

Contact: ash.mahmood@needlepartners.com  

Employment

Detailed Work

We provide specialist employment advice predominantly for employers and senior executives providing advice and assistance with both contentious and non-contentious matters. We advise upon all areas of employment law including employment tribunal claims, business restructures and redundancy, contracts and policies, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, compromise agreements and termination packages.

Contact: victoria.robertson@needlepartners.com

Family

Detailed Work

We provide advice upon all aspects of family law work on financial, children and cohabitation issues. We work closely with the corporate and commercial teams to advise upon complex and high net worth divorces involving share and property ownership. We also provide specialist advice to the Muslim community upon Islamic family law and Sharia’h compliant resolutions.

Contact: shakeela.bi@needlepartners.com